Prof. Dr. Julian Lindley-French of the Strategic Advisory Group of the Atlantic Council challenged the current Dutch government’s policy of shying away from its responsibility as a medium size power in NATO and the EU and to – almost – become a free-rider in security and defence matters. He summed up the international response from NATO partners such as the United States and the United Kingdom in one word: “disappointment.” Furthermore, “the solidarity in NATO and the EU would be undermined if more countries would follow the Dutch attitude.”

At the conference, LI President Hans van Baalen MEP, Han ten Broeke MP and  Senator Fred de Graaf received a report entitled “Investing in security”, drafted under the leadership of former VVD party chairman Willem Hoekzema. which outlines a strategic revision of the Dutch defence policy that would ensure a sustainable Dutch commitment to international security. Currently leading the polls in the run up to the parliamentary elections on 9 June 2010 with an approval rate of more than 25%, the liberals will most likely play a key role in the next government and therefore the report will influence the defence policy of the next Dutch government.